By Monsignor Noel C. Burtenshaw (Second In A Series)

Bill Walsh only went to one Catholic school. Maybe that’s because he was born up there in Pennsylvania Dutch country in a little town called Phillipsburg. It is really in New Jersey, but in the heart of the Dutch community.

Bill doesn’t remember there being a Catholic elementary school. “There certainly was no Catholic high,” says big Bill, line coach of the Falcons. So after high school, graduating as All-State in baseball and All-State in football, Bill thought he might give a Catholic college a break. Especially since they offered him a scholarship and the college in question was Notre Dame.

“It was the most memorable four years of my life,” says the now happy Falcon coach, “and I was delighted to go back another day and coach there. The Notre Dame spirit stays with you forever.”

Born of an Irish father and German mother (he loved her name, it was Messerschmidt) William Henry Walsh was born in 1927. Always a good sport and always a tough kid, Bill found himself loving the toughest position in football. He was center. That’s where he played in high school and that’s where he played for the Irish.

“When I went to Notre Dame in 1945,” says Bill, “Coach Devore was boss. Leahy came in 1946. What a guy. That was the year of the famous Army game at Yankee Stadium. I hated myself. I was injured and had to watch from the sidelines. That Frank Leahy and Doc Blanchard - what a pair.”

Bill Walsh recalls even a more memorable game. This time he did play. It was Southern Cal in the L.A. Coliseum in 1947 and a packed stadium of 104,000 watched. “We beat them 38-7,” remembers the coach gleefully, “and we also won the National Championship.”

For Bill Walsh living and playing at Notre Dame was like going to heaven. “At practice they would sometimes talk about the Gipper, but nobody made too many jokes about it. The pep rallies were spectacular, always plenty of spirit and surprises. I remember one rally where Mrs. Rockne showed up. Talk about the Fighting Irish rearing to go! Wow!

After graduation in 1949, big tough Bill Walsh was ready for the pros - and they were ready for him. For six years he played with one team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Our best year was 7 and 5, but it was a great life. You stay in shape and give it your best. On the field you forget about the money, winning is everything. The pain is bad - the soreness hurts, but you wouldn’t trade that life for anything. It’s a glorious life. It was then and it is now.”

1954 saw Bill Walsh hang up his football boots and begin a new career. Not playing but teaching the thing he knew best, and at the place he loved best - Notre Dame University, under the Golden Dome in South Bend. “I knew Terry Brennan well,” recalls Bill, “so I was happy to take the job as offensive line coach. I had four good years and it was great to be back at that school. In 1958, after some poor seasons, Terry was fired and so were the rest of the coaches.

Without any hard feelings, Bill Walsh moved from his alma mater and very soon opened a new chapter in his life. He began to coach the pros.

First it was the Dallas Texans in the new American League. Soon they would become the Kansas City Chiefs. “1967 was the big year,” recalls the Coach, “it was the very first Super Bowl and we played Green Bay. We really felt we could beat ’em. They were just better than we expected. They whipped us 32-10. That Lombardi, a down to earth hard worker. He had it, alright.”

Bill Walsh came to the Atlanta Falcons in 1975. Again he would coach the line. “The line has to be quick for two or three steps,” explains this expert, “after that they have to be tough.” Atlanta’s line this year averages more than 275 pounds. “They are good and with a little luck they’ll get through the year without injuries.”

Exactly 30 years ago, William Henry Walsh married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Hoyt. They have six children, five girls, two of whom are married, and Michael Patrick. “He’s a senior at Georgia Tech. We don’t say much when Tech plays the Irish,” says Bill with a smile.

The Walsh family lives in Dunwoody and goes to Holy Cross parish. Has Bill Walsh, expert on the bruising offensive line, still some ambitions he would like to fulfill? “Sure, have a winner in the Falcons for one. And secondly,” says this big happy line tamer, “I’m just dying to be a grandfather.”